China supports comprehensive, systemic reform of UN Security Council: envoy

China

China supports comprehensive, systemic reform of UN Security Council: envoy

2024-11-12 14:25 Last Updated At：19:47

China supports comprehensive, meaningful and systemic reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong said on Monday.

Speaking at a plenary session of the General Assembly on Monday, Fu pointed out that the authority and credibility of the Security Council are being increasingly undermined as power politics, geopolitical rivalries, and the double standards continue to impose influence on the its operation.

Currently, the conflict in the Gaza Strip has lasted for over a year, causing unprecedented death and destruction. Yet, certain countries have consistently blocked meaningful action by the Council, preventing the effective implementation of relevant resolutions. The Council needs comprehensive, meaningful and systemic reform, as the current situation is neither sustainable nor acceptable, according to Fu.

"Reform of the Security Council should reflect the realities of international politics, align with the trend towards a multipolar world, the growing democratization of global relations, and the increasing influence of the Global South," said Fu.

In addition, Fu emphasized that the only legitimate way to discuss Security Council reform is through intergovernmental negotiations. He warned that any attempt to bypass this established process would not receive support from UN member states and would only undermine the reform progress that has already been made in improving the Council.

"Complex issues cannot be solved with simple solutions. Any reform proposal must address the concerns of all parties and stand the test of time and history. We strongly oppose forcing through reforms, which would undermine unity among UN member states and create new conflicts," he said.

At present, the key issues in Security Council reform include the categories of membership, the power of veto, the allocation of regional seats, the size of an enlarged Council, its working methods and its relationship with the General Assembly, said Fu.

Fu said that China supports a comprehensive approach to addressing all of these issues. He stressed that any reform proposal should be built on broad consensus, reflect the common interests of UN member states, and be in line with UN's long-term development goals.

Ningbo airport launches first direct flight to Phnom Penh

2025-01-03 02:03 Last Updated At：02:17

A new direct passenger flight route from Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province to Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh opened on Wednesday, which also marked the first international flight out of the city's airport in 2025.

The new flight departs from the Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 13:30 and takes just under four and a half hours to reach the Cambodian capital. Operated by Cambodian airlines, it is scheduled to fly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the return flight departing Phnom Penh at 07:40 local time on the same days.

The direct route provides an important travel option for tourists, especially those from Ningbo and the surrounding areas. Pang Cuili, a Ningbo resident who had to transit in Shanghai for a midnight arrival in Phnom Penh, said the new service now offers much greater convenience.

"We'll fly at 13:30 and arrive at around 16:50. It’s very convenient [timing] for us to check into the hotel after arriving," she said.

As the capital and largest city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has long been an important international aviation hub in Southeast Asia, with the new route giving a further boost to the economic and cultural exchanges between Ningbo and ASEAN countries.

"Today marks the first flight of Ningbo Airport's regular direct passenger service to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The opening of this route is also an important move for the airport to help implement the Belt and Road Initiative, enriching international passenger transport routes, and further speeding up the recovery of the international market," said Chen Qiaoyu, manager of the Market Development Department at the Ningbo Lishe International Airport.

As Cambodia Airlines' first route out of Ningbo Airport, the new service also signals the airline's broader plans to connect various parts of China with Cambodia in the coming year.